KUCHING: Schools in Lubok Antu will be temporarily closed on Friday (Aug 28) due to severe haze conditions in the district.
The state Education Department said the closure affects 28 primary schools involving 2,242 pupils and two secondary schools with a total of 1,793 students.
"Based on the air pollutant index (API) reading as of 8pm on Thursday (Aug 27), all educational institutions under the Lubok Antu education district office will be closed with immediate effect on Friday (Aug 28)," the department said in a statement.
According to the state Natural Resources and Environment Board's daily haze watch, Lubok Antu recorded a very unhealthy API reading of 200.
The department said students' welfare, health and safety must be prioritised when facing hot or uncertain weather conditions.
"Schools are reminded to comply with the standard operating procedures and refer to the Education Ministry's Circular No 1 of 2019 on measures to ensure the health and safety of students in schools located in areas with critical haze conditions," it said.
It also urged schools to monitor the air quality in their respective districts by referring to the Environment Department's API management system.
